Tips on Creating the Perfect University Student Room Decor
Updated: Nov 2
Student Room Decor 101: Where to Begin
So you've landed a place in student accommodation and you're anxious to make your new digs into a cosy, welcoming space that feels like home? Here are some smart tips to set up your room decor, and a few friendly reminders about what decor is allowed and what's not in your student room.
Know The Rules
Before you start decorating, it's important to familiarize yourself with the rules of your halls of residence, your tenancy agreement or ask your accommodation team. Knowing what's allowed can save you the heartache of buying decorations that aren't allowed.
Once you're clear on the rules, let the decorating fun begin.
What is NOT allowed in Uni Halls
Let's start with listing the items that would NOT be allowed in university residences. These include items such as space heaters, electric blankets, fairy lights, and cooking equipment including kettles, as they can cause overheating and may not comply with relevant health, safety, and fire regulations.
You will regularly see 'fairy lights' listed on student advice forums as a nice decorative item to pack. However, you may be asked to take these down in case of a fire risk if hung near flammable material such as bedding, so check first before you buy.
Check out our FAQs on our website for more information on what is and isn’t allowed as part of your student room decor.
Start with a plan and a budget
Before you start shopping for furniture and room decor, make a plan for the overall look and feel you want to achieve. Take into account your personal style, your budget, and the size of your room.
Draw a rough layout of your room and decide on the placement of key items such as your bed, desk, and storage space. You can use the images on the accommodation page of your university website to give you an idea if you’re organized and planning your room before you move in to university.
Tips on Decorating Your Student Dorm
Here are some creative decor ideas to enhance your student room:
Displaying items:
University-managed accommodation may have some restrictions on wall decoration. It is a good idea to stock up on blu-tack (link to Amazon) so you don’t damage the walls and avoid using tape or glue as you may have to pay for repairs at the end of your tenancy.
Stock up on plenty of magnets or hooks and pins for your notice board or to use on the fridge door in the kitchen.
You can download our meal planner and shopping list when you sign up for Member Resources and stick them on your fridge door or cupboard to write down your shopping list as soon as you realise you have run out of an item.
Choosing your bed linen:
Nice bedding is key to making your room feel cosy. Don’t feel obliged to stick to white bed linen – in fact, you may want to avoid white, which can be difficult to keep spotlessly clean. Try ordering a Bedding Pack from Student Essentials using our special discount code: FHS2U
Top tip: order the towels in the same colour and you can save by washing these items altogether.
Under-bed storage :
Storage Boxes:
Over-Door Hanging Storage:
Over the door hanging storage containers are also a great space saver and can be used for underwear, hats, scarves, and shoes too.
Plants:
Plants are good for your mental health. A plant can help increase oxygen levels around your workspace, helping you to focus and be productive. Try virtually indestructible plants such as the peace lily, snake plant or the ZZ plant that produce higher levels of oxygen, can cope with low light and will survive well with very little maintenance.
Alternatively, you can get artificial hanging plants such as these from IKEA.
Displaying Your Photos
Instead of photo frames, which frankly just gather dust and who uses them these days? Print out your Polaroids and photos and either tape or blu-tack them around your mirror to make you smile every time you get ready. They’ll bring back nice memories or remind you of a loved one and give you the warm and fuzzies when you’re getting ready for the day.
Making It Smell Nice
Instead of candles (one of the items usually banned in Halls), you can use reed diffusers, or get an essential oil diffuser which will also add some moisture to your room, which can get dry in winter.
The Benefits of Essential Oils for Students
Certain essential oils can help with focus, concentration, calmness, and general wellbeing, such as the following which are considered the best essential oils for students:
Scent | Benefits |
Lavender | Calming, good for sleep or anxiety |
Peppermint | Helpful for studying, staying attentive and improving memory |
Rosemary | ​Keeps you alert and improves concentration |
Lemon | Helps boost your mood, good for depression or feeling down. Good for boosting the immune system and preventing infections. |
Grapefruit | Helps you to wake up and feel refreshed and improves your immune system. |
Orange | A good memory aid, orange oil helps with focus and concentration, especially when absorbing new information or facts. |
Frankincense | Helps with focus and clarity of mind, as well as calming anxiety. |
Don't Clutter Your Space
It's important to keep your room organized and tidy to create a peaceful and stress-free environment. Avoid buying too many unnecessary items that can clutter your space and make it feel smaller.
Remember, your university accommodation can be a canvas for self-expression and a place where you create lasting memories. Just follow these guidelines and you'll have a comfortable, homely space to call your own.
Happy decorating!
Â
If you need more help or guidance on how to navigate the transition from high school to university, check out our website. There you will find useful blogs, resources, and tips on how to help your children survive and thrive on campus. Follow us on social media to stay updated with tips and tricks! We are on Instagram, FaceBook, TikTok and Pinterest!
We may use affiliate links which earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.